JACKSON, Miss. — On Tuesday, Mississippi voters will determine the outcomes for one seat on the state Supreme Court and another on the state Court of Appeals.
The runoff elections are taking place after candidates progressed from the general election held on November 5. Polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. central time.
It has been observed that voter participation tends to drop between general elections and runoff elections. Additionally, with the Thanksgiving holiday just days away, campaigns are anticipating a particularly tough turnout this year.
Regarding the Supreme Court, Justice Jim Kitchens is vying for a third term as he faces off against state Senator Jenifer Branning.
Their competition is set in District 1, which encompasses the Delta region, the Jackson metropolitan area, and extends to the Alabama border.
In the initial voting phase, Branning received 42%, while Kitchens garnered 36%. The remaining votes were split among three other candidates.
Candidates for Mississippi’s judiciary do not run under party affiliations; however, it was noted that Democratic voters primarily supported Kitchens, whereas Republican voters leaned towards Branning during the first round of voting.
Branning has received the endorsement of the state Republican Party. She identifies as a “constitutional conservative” and is critical of what she describes as “liberal, activist judges” and the “radical left.”
Kitchens stands out as the more experienced of the two justices currently presiding, making him the next in line to potentially take over as chief justice.
His endorsement comes from the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Action Fund, which promotes racial justice throughout the South and beyond.
In a notable ruling, Kitchens previously sided with a death row inmate whose conviction was questioned following a recantation from a key witness. He also dissented in 2018 on two cases related to the drug midazolam being used in state executions.
Turning to the Court of Appeals, the runoff will take place in District 5, located in the southeastern section of the state, which includes the Gulf Coast.
Amy St. Pe’ and Jennifer Schloegel have moved forward to the runoff following a previous three-way contest. In the initial voting, St. Pe’ secured 35%, with Schloegel closely following at 33%. The victor of this runoff will fill the vacancy left by Judge Joel Smith, who opted not to run for reelection.
St. Pe’ is currently serving as a municipal judge in Gautier, while Schloegel holds the position of chancery court judge across Hancock, Harrison, and Stone counties.